Flush valve



June 6, 1933. w. B. GEORGE 11i-912,937

FLUSH VALVE Filed Aug. 5, 1931 l lllll/l/ll lllllll l I fwefr, IfaZhf/a George wlmi/M Patented June 6, 1933 PATENT OFFICE WitLIAMB. encuen, or OH'IOAGO, ILLINOIS rLUsH VALVE I AppIication legl August 5, 1931. Serial N'o. 555,153.

The present invention relates "generally to valves, and mo-re particularly ltoilush valves. arranged to control the flow of `water to.

water closet bowls and the like. v Brieiy, the principalobject of the present invention is to provide a flush valve having conveniently accessible means for controlling the flushing period, that is,Y the length of time required for the flushing operation or the quantity of water passed into the bowl duringA the operation of flushing the contents therefrom.

More specifically, the present invention contemplates the provision, of an adjustable plunger which is normally operative to initiate the flushing operation by opening an auxiliary valve which, as is well understood in the art, destroys the balance of opposing pressures and thus causesthe opening of the '20 main valve controlling the communication between the water inlet from the mains or other source of supply and the outlet to the water closet bowl.. By so arranging the operating plunger that it can 'be adjusted ver-` tically the time of closing of theauxiliary valve can be regulated, the closing of the auxiliary valve, as is well understood, termi nating the flushing period by reestablishing balanced opposing pressures which then permits the main valve to close'communica tion between the inlet and outlet of the Hush valve proper.

a Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of thefollowingdetailed description of the preferred structural embodiments, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 is a.- vertical section taken through 40" a flush valve `structure embodying .theprinciples of the present invention; i i

Figure 2 1s anenlarged cross section taken substantially along the line 2f-2.0i Figurel ;5 Figure Sis a fragmentary vertical section showing a slightly modified' ormof adjust-` able plunger; andl j y Figure 4 is an enlarged cross section taken approximately on the line 1 -4 of Figure 3.` Referring now more particularly to "Figs" i ure 1, the reference numeral lfindicates vin its` ture.

entirety the casing or body of the flush valve, the casing 1 being provided with an inlet con nection 2 and an outlet connection 3. A pipe 4 leads from the inlet connection 2 toa water main or other source of supply and a pipe or sleeve `5 leads from the outlet connection 3to` a water closet bowl.

`The upper part of the valve body 1 is enlarged and is 4 formed to provide a seat 8 adapted to receive a flat flexible diaphragm 9 60 which divides the casing 1 into an upper chamber 10 and a lower chamber 11. The lower chamber 11 is in communication with the inlet 2, while the upper chamber 10- is arranged to be placed in communication with y the outlet 3 through an opening 13 centrally of the top casing and a corresponding opening ormedin the diaphragm 9. rIhe open.` ingor passageway 13 is defined by an upstandingcylindrical flange orbarrel 15 pref- 7 erably although not necessarily formed integral `with the casing 1 and having an upper edge 16 forminga valve seat to receive the diaphragm 9 in its lower position, as shown in Figure 1, and when in that position closes on communication between the inlet 2 and the outlet 3.

The diaphragm 9 is flexible and forms a part of `a `vertically movable main valve struc- This valve structure includes a `depending cylindricalgu'ide 20 having an upper threaded end 21 and an upper ilange 22. The

upper end of the guide is received within the `cation with the outlet 3 through the opening 95' Y in the auxiliary valve seat 28 and the sleeve An auxiliary valve 30 is arranged to close off communication between the upper chamber 10 Aand the outlet 2 through the opening in 109 the auxiliary valve seat 28 and the sleeve 20. This auxiliary valve 30 includes a seating flange or valve proper 31 adapted to seat upon the valve seat 28 and a lower depending stem 33 lixedly secured to the valve 31. The depending valve stem 33 carries at its lower end an abutment 35 in the form of a flange or ringl cover 45 seats, the outside cover 45 beingthreaded to the casing 1. If desired, a spring 47 may be seated in the recessed boss 42 and biased between the inside :cover 41 and the valve l30, as shown in Figure 1, for the purpose of urging the valve 30 toward itsseat vagainst the member 28 and also to urge they main valve including the diaphragm 9 against the seating liange 16 of the casing.

A by-pass tube 50 having a restricted opening 51 is provided in the casing 1 and cooperates with a port or duct 53 to provide ar leak passage between the lower chamber 11 and the upper chamber 10 on opposite sides of the diaphragm valve 9. By virtue of this construction the pressure of the yinlet 2 is communicated to both sides of the diaphragm 9 when the auxiliary valve 30 is seated so that the main valve is held by virtuev of its own weight and the action of the spring 47 against itsl seatV 16.

The operating mechanism for the valve 9 will now be described. rIhe casing 1 is provided with a lateral apertured boss 55 in one side wall thereof, the boss 55 having exterior threads thereon. A bushing 56 is mounted in the boss 55 and, in the modification shown in Figure 1, receives a laterally shiftable operating plunger 57 in an opening 58 eccentrically'positioned relative to the'central axis of the bushing 56. The bushing includes a flange or web 60 seated against the outer edge of the apertured boss 55, gasket means being positioned therebetween if desired, and threaded to the outer end of the bushing 56 is sleeve 62 having an outwardly directed flange 63 and a clamping collar 64 including an inwardly directed flange 65 abutting against the flange 63. The collar 64 is arranged to thread onto the boss 55 to clamp the bushing 56 and the sleeve 62 in place andin fixed relation to the casing 1.

The sleeve 62 is elongated and `isprovid-ed with a retaining flange 67 which receives a handle 70 formed o1"- porcelain or any other suitable material and including an inner flanged shank 71. The outer end of the lat? erally shiftable plunger 57 is provided with an enlarged head 73 and between the head 73 and the bushing 56 a spring 74 is arranged and biased to urge the plunger 57 outwardly against the handle shank 71. The tendency of the spring 74 is, therefore, to maintain the operatingv handle 70 in a laterally horizontal position with the head 73 of the plunger 57 pressed thereagainst.

The operation of the flush valve as described above is substantially as follows. By virtue of the restricted passage 50, 53, substantially equal pressure exists in the upper chamber 10 and the lower chamber 11, this pressure being substantially equal to the pressure at the inlet 2. As explained above, the weight ofthe valve 9 and associated sleeve 20and valve 30 and the force of the spring 47 keep the main valve 9 closed thereby shutting off communication between the inlet 2 and the outlet 3. When it is desired to flush the bowl all that it is necessaryy to do is to rock the operating handle 70 to the position shown in Figure 1 thereby moving the plunger 57 inwardly so Vthat its inner end contacts with the sleeve 36 on the valve stem 33, thus tilting the auxiliary valve 30 and moving a portion of the same away from its seat-28. This destroys the balance of pressure in the chambers 10and 11, the pressure in the upper chamber 10 being released the diaphragm 9 immediately raises the entire valve structure by virtue of the pressure in the lower. chamber 11, thus allowing the water which flushes the bowl to pass down through the passage 13 on the inside of the cylindrical flange or barrel 15. -During this stage ofthe operation the small amount of water which passes through the restricted opening' 51 is negligible.

The flow of flushingrwater will continue as long as the auxiliary valve 30-is held off its seat 28, and this will occur as long as the handle 70 presses the inner end of the plunger 57 against the sleeve 36, but it is to be remembered that the instant the valve 30 was opened to initiate the flushing operation the diaphragm 9 raises the entire valve structure. Thisupward movement after a short period of time will be suflicient to cause the lower end of the sleeve 36 to clear the inner end of the plunger 57. The instant this occurs the auxiliary valve 30 will close under the action ofthe spring 47 so that the upper chamber 10 is no longer in communication with the outlet through the barrel 15. Tater passing through the'leakage duct 53 will then gradually fill the upper chamber 10 which reestablishes the balanced pressures of the upl per and lowerl sides of the diaphragm 9 thus closing the valve and causing the diaphragm to seat against the edge 16 of the barrel or flange 15. The purpose of having the sleeve V36slidable Iis so that lshould the operating handle -70' be held down, which holds the lrnown asthe non-hold opentypebecause the accidental or intentionalholding` downoi the i handle 4willnotprevent theflush valve from closing attheyproper time.`

ln such aval-ve structure yas described above the Upresent `invention contemplates' as the principal feature `thereof a convenientand `easily accessible `means `for regulating the iiushing period. Preferablyythe flushing period is regulated by adjusting the verticalpositionof the inner end of the plunger 57. `Itwill be remembered thatthe ilushing operation continues until the upward move- `nient ofthe entire yflushing valve 9 causes theV lower end offthejvalve stem 33 orthe sleeve 3G to clearthe inner projected end oftheiplunger 57. Obviously, therefore, if this end israisedor lowered lthetime of flushing, or the quan tity of Water used during theilus'hing operai tion which is a function of the time, `will bei increased or decreased.'

In order to secure adjustment oi thellaterally 4movable plunger 57 relative to the valve stein 33and the sleeve 36 the bushing`56 is ar ranged with theplunger opening `58 eecentricallytherein, as describedaboi-fe. `In this case, therefore, rotation of the bushing 56 1n the boss 55 which receives it will raise or lower theplunger 57. `All that it isonecessary'to do in order to rotatethebushing 5G in the struc` ture shown in 51 is to loosen the collar 54: and

`turn the sleeve 62which is securedtothe bush*` i ing 56.

'In Figure 3, I have shown a slightlymodi",-

In Figure Sithe casing 1 carrying the threadedaperturedboss .515 in its side wall is `,providedwith a vertical slot 8O through whichV the 4inner end Slot a bushing 82 projects. lllheouterend `of the bushing `82 carriesan enlarged radialjflanger Swhich is inthe nature-of a disc which-seats `against a gasket 851 onl the end of the boss 55. The disc., or ilange 83fis ofsubstantial size so that the same seats iirmly againstlthe end .of Athe boss 55 regardless of whether the bushing 82` is in its lower position or its upper position. Figure `3 the sleeve 86 and "collar 87, which corresponds respectively, with the sleeve 62 and `the "collar 64 in Figure l, are preferably formed integrally, the sleeve 86 having a shoulder 89 which'is-adaptedtoabut against theouterl edge ofthe disc l83 so that when kthe collar 87 isthreaded onto the boss 55 the disc 83 is securely clampedin vertically adjusted position. If `desired,theWboss 55 may be tappedto receive an adjusting screw 90 by` fied Elform of' adjustable bushing` and `which,- i under certain conditions maybe desirable.

70 of `Figure 3 are practically `identical `for all practical purposes with the plunger and handle shown in Figure 4l and indicated by the same reference numerals.

1lhile'Ihave shown 1n the drawing and `de-j` 70 scribed above `the preferred `structural em` bodimentit is to be understood that my improved adjustment means nia-y be emiployed on different types ofvalves. For example,`

held down. `Where a valve of this type isem-` ployed the inner end of the plunger may contactidirectlywith the valve stem of the auxiliary valve.` It lwill also be apparent :that while il have shown a diaphragm type oifilush valve, `my invention is equally applicable to piston type flush valves.` i Obviously, j of course, the present invention inlay `be embodied on many other types of valves the period of operation of `which it is desiredto regulate and control. j

`What Iclainn therefore, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: i

1. In a flush valve havinga casing, a dia` phragm dividing the casing into `anupper and lower chamber, valve means including a downwardly `depending stem for relieving the pressure in the `upper chamber whereby to` initiate theflushingoperation, and means mounted lin the side of thecasing for moving the'stem laterally to open said auxiliary valve, the combination of `an eccentric bushing for bodily shifting said last namedmeans to govern `the return of said auxiliary valve to its closed position.

.2. A flush valve comprising, in combination, a casing having an inlet and anfoutlet, a "diaphragm controlling communication beico tween the inlet and outlet, an auxiliary valve j j carried" by said `diaphragm and `movable therewith, said diaphragm dividing said cas` inginto an upper i and lower chamber, means subjectingthe upperand lower chambers to the pressure at said inlet, said auxiliary `valve including a depending stem, a plunger mov able `in "the 'casing and adapted to` contact with said stem to open the auxiliary valve, wherebythe pressurein the upper chamber is released `and the pressure at said inlet raises the diaphragm including said auxiliary valve, said auxiliary valvebeingrestored to closed position when the lower `end of said stem moves above! said plunger, whereupon equal pressures Vare established in said upper and j lower chambers and the diaphragm moves to cut oit communication between the inlet and the outlet, and means for shifting the vertical position of said plunger to control .the finishing period.

3. A 'flush valve comprising, in combination, a casinghaving anfinletand an outlet, a diaphragm 1 valve i controlling the communication between theiinlet and the outlet, anl

`lovver end, means for operating saidauxiliary valve including a transversely shiftable plunger adapted to'contact with said sleeveV and open the auxiliary valve whereupon the diaphragm valve is opened and theflushing operation initiated, said auxiliary valvemovingupwardlywith said diaphragmvalve during the period of flush until the shiftable sleeve at the lower end of said stem clears said transverse plunger, and means including an eccentric bushing for adjusting the vertical position of'said plunger relative to said shiftable sleeve forjregulating the liushing period.V

4. A flush valve comprising, in combination,'a casing having an inlet and an outlet, a diaphragm valve controlling the communication between the inlet and the outlet, an auxiliary valve controlling the operation of said diaphragm valve and including a depending stem having a shiftable sleeve at its lower end, means for operating said auxiliary valve including a transversely shiftable plunger adapted to contact with said sleeve and open the auxiliary valve whereupon the diaphragm valve is opened and the flushing operation initiated, said auxiliary valve moving upwardly with said. diaphragm valve during the period of flush until the shiftable sleeve at the lower end of said .stem clears said transverse plunger, and means including a vertically shiftable bushing in which said plunger is mounted for adjusting the position of said plunger relative to said sleeve for regulating the ushing period. 5.' In a Hush valve including a diaphragm andl a vertically movable auxiliary valveincluding a depending stem movable laterally to initiate the flushing operation and movable vertically during the flushingv operation, the combinationy of operating means for the auxiliary valve including a transversely movable plunger having an inner end adapted to contact with Vthe lower end of said stem and to move the same laterally, the vertical movement of said diaphragm and auxiliary valve during the operation causing the stem to clear the inner end of said plunger whereupon theV auxiliary valve is restored to closed position, and a bodily shiftablebushing supporting the plunger and movable verticallyy to determine the time when the lower end of said stem clears the inner end of said plunger whereby to regulate the flushing period, and a screw threaded collar adapted to retain Asaid shiftable bushing in any adjusted position.

,6. In a flush valve having a casing and a vertically and laterally movable member for controlling the lushing operation, the combination ol means for initiating and regulating the flushing period comprising a laterally movable plunger adapted to, contact with said member, a supporting bushing for saidY for vertically adjusting said bushing.

7. A flush valve comprising, in combination, a casing having an inlet and an outlet and a threaded boss in a side wall of the ycasing, a vertically movable valve controlling the communication between the inlet and outlet of said casing, an auxiliary valve controlling the operation of said vertically movable valve, said auxiliary valve including a depending stem, a shiftable bushing received in the boss formed on the casing, a laterally movable plunger adapted to contact with said stem to initiate the flushing operation, said bushing being shiftable in said boss to adjust the vertical position of said plunger relative to said stem in order to regulate the flushing period, and means having threaded connection with said boss to hold said bushing in adjusted position.

8. A flush valve comprising, in combination, a casing having an inlet and an outlet and a threaded boss in a side wall of the casing, a vertically movable valve controlling the communication between the inlet and outlet of said casing, an auxiliary valve controlling the operation of said vertically movable valve, said auxiliary valve including a depending stem, a shiftable bushing received in the boss formed on the casing, a laterally movable plunger adapted to contact with said stem to initiate the flushing operation, said bushing being rotatable in said boss and. the plunger being eccentrically mounted in said boss whereby rotation of the bushing adjusts the vertical position of the plunger relative to the stem, whereby the flushing period may be regulated, and means having threaded connection with said Vboss to hold said bushing in adjusted position;

9. A flush valve comprising, in combination, a casing having an inlet and an outlet and a threaded boss in a side wall of the casing, a vertically movable valve controlling the communication between the inlet and outlet of said casing, an auxiliary valve controlling the operation of said vertically movable valve, said auxiliary valve including a depending stem, a shiftable bushing received in the boss formed on the casing, a laterally movable plunger adapted to contact with said stem lto initiate the flushing operation, said bushing being movable bodily vertically in a vertical slot in said boss to adjust the vertical position of `the plunger relative to said stem inorder to regulate the ushing period, and means having threaded connection with said ser boss to hold said bushing in adjusted position. j

10. A iush valve Comprising, in Combination, a casing having an inlet and an outlet, movable means controlling communication between the inlet and outlet, an auxiliary 4valve carried by said means and movable therewith, said means dividing said casing into an upper and lower chamber, means subjecting the upper and lower chambers to the pressure at said inlet, said auxiliary valve including a depending stem, a plunger movable in the easing and adapted to Contact with said stem to open the auxiliary valve, Whereby the pressure in the upper chamber is re leased and the pressure at said inlet raises the movable means including said auxiliary valve, said auxiliary valve being restoredto closed4 position when the lower end of said stem moves above said plunger, whereupon equal pressures are established in said upper and lower chambers and the movable means shifts to Cut olii' communication between the inlet and the outlet, and means for adjusting the vertical positionof vsaid plunger to control the flushing period.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 3rd day of August, 1931.

WILLIAM B. GEORGE. 

